By Mark Edward Nero
The Port of San Diego’s fourth annual free Eco-Friendly Hull Paint Expo is scheduled for 10 am to noon, Sat., March 22 under an enclosed tent at Driscoll Boat Works, 2500 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106.
The free event provides the boating community with information on eco-friendly hull paints that protect a boat’s hull while at the same time reducing the paint’s environmental impact.
The San Diego Bay boating community has been invited to see featured products, receive cleaning and maintenance advice and get information on grant funds that are available to Shelter Island boaters for repainting their vessels.
The grant program began in 2011 and was originally scheduled to expire in June 2014, but the port recently received a one-year time extension from the State Water Resources Control Board. Funding is now available until May 2015, or until the money runs out.
Among those expected to be at the expo to answer questions are paint manufacturers, representatives of San Diego Bay boatyards, hull cleaners and Port of San Diego staff members. Local boat owners and hull cleaners are scheduled to take part in a panel discussion on the use, cleaning, and maintenance of eco-friendly hull paints. The panel discussion’s slated to begin at 10:30 am.
Also, a new online calculator to help predict costs to convert boats to eco-friendly hull paints is expected to be showcased during the event.
